Ever crowd surf to the front of the stage at a Metallica concert, only instead of the security guards rightfully pulling you down and sending you on your way, they let you walk around on stage and stare closely at all of the band members from various angles?

If you haven’t, but that sounds like something you might want to try, consider checking out Metallica’s “Through the Never” movie, which just became available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download Jan. 28.

I say that because getting kicked in the head by crowd surfers really hurts, and because there’s no other way to get such a close glimpse of the band in action short of shaving a good chunk off your paycheck, hauling off to a live show and fighting your way through a sea of black tee-shirts to get to the edge of the stage.

Even if you’re game for bathing in a savory mix of strangers’ sweat for the sake of a great live performance by one of the most iconic thrash metal bands in history, this movie still has plenty to offer.

The film plays off classic Metallica imagery to create an intensely dramatic visual representation of the experience of hearing songs like “One,” “Cyanide” and “Enter Sandman.”

The story centers on the quest-turned-nightmare of a devoted young roadie, Trip (Dane DeHaan, aka Harry Osborne in the upcoming “The Amazing Spiderman 2”).

Trip’s superior sends him to retrieve something the band urgently needs because the van carrying it is out of gas, though exactly what the item is, or how and why Trip’s voyage segues into an apocalyptic wasteland, is never made clear.

Questions also arise as to why Trip would provoke the masked leader of the riots after witnessing him lasso ropes around people’s necks and hang them from lampposts all while staying mounted on his horse.

This story is lightly sprinkled over footage of the band playing for an enormous, sold-out arena.

The story seems almost subliminal, and it would be hard to follow between songs if it weren’t so simple.

Though the extent of his dialogue is shouting the word “hey” twice, DeHaan gives a decent portrayal of Trip through his facial expressions alternating between detached, seriously concerned and terrified.

What makes him fit the role so well is that, riding on screen with his skateboard, band shirt and leather jacket, he visually fits the image of a misunderstood metal fan.

When the band promoted “Through the Never” on “The Colbert Report” last year, Stephen Colbert commented on the oddly perfect transition between apocalyptic ruins and the front row of a Metallica concert.

Colbert was spot on. In fact, the songs match up perfectly with every scene, making the viewer feel the power lyrically and instrumentally behind every song.

That’s essentially what makes watching this movie better than just listening to old Metallica records for an hour and a half.

Examples of these chilling sonic matchups include Trip leaving on his journey during “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” crashing his van at the end of “Fuel,” running from the mob sent by the riot leader during “Master of Puppets” and fighting them off during “Battery.”

In short, Metallica fans will enjoy this film because it features some great concert footage and showcases what an impressive catalog the band has accrued over the past 30 years.

However, those looking for an inspiring plot might be disappointed.

Stephanie Markham can be reached at 581-2812 or DENverge@gmail.com.